Hall named Doak Walker and Maxwell semifinalist

Dec 5, 2020; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State running back Breece Hall (28) rushes next to quarterback Brock Purdy (15) during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday. Iowa State would go on to defeat West Virginia 42-6. Mandatory Credit: Brian Powers-USA TODAY Sports

Breece Hall has solidified himself as one of the nation’s best running backs during the 2020 season and folks across the college football landscape have taken notice.

Hall, a sophomore from Wichita, Kan., was named a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation’s best running back, and Maxwell Award, given annually to the best player in college football, on Monday.

The finalists for each award will be announced on Dec. 21 with the winner being honored on Jan. 7 during the College Football Awards Show on ESPN.

Hall closed the Cyclones’ regular season as the nation’s leader in rushing yards (1,357), 100-yard games (8), multi-rushing touchdown games (6), first down rushes (66), yards after contact (797), consecutive games with a rushing touchdown (10) and 20+ yard rushes (14).

The tailback also sits at No. 2 nationally in rushing touchdowns (17), overall touchdowns (19) and scoring (114). His 135.7 rushing yards per game ranks second in the country among players on teams having played five or more games.

Hall has been the linchpin of Iowa State’s offense that ranks among the Big 12’s best and led the team to an 8-2 overall record, including an 8-1 mark in Big 12 play, and a berth in the program’s first Big 12 title game on Dec. 19 against Oklahoma.

Additionally, the Cyclones currently sit at No. 9 in the College Football Playoff rankings ahead of the updated rankings being released on Tuesday.

Jared Stansbury

View articles by Jared Stansbury subscriber

Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

Follow @@JaredStansbury